Information for participants of AWI expeditions

The formerly required release from liability is not necessary any more.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles or systems during AWI expeditions and at AWI infrastructures requires consent by the AWI department Operations and Infrastructures. Please contact Tobias.Boebel@awi.de for information and the forms to be completed.

Please note:

If the risk of using an unmanned aerial vehicle at AWI infrastructures or on AWI expeditions is assessed as low and its use is approved by AWI, this does not constitute a license/permit in the aviation or environmental sense. AWI is not a permitting authority that can issue a legally required authorization. This is subject to the applicable regulations for the respective area of operation. You have to contact separately the responsible authority(ies) for the permit. All national specifics and permit conditions for the operation of the UAS must be observed.

In the case of the Arctic Polar Regions, the permit application has to be submitted to the state(s) responsible for the sovereign territory(ies) in which the operation will take place.

In the case of an operation in the Antarctic Treaty Area (south of 60°S) the approval of the competent authority of a State Party to the Antarctic Treaty Environmental Protocol is required in addition to the consent of the AWI.

If the use of the unmanned aerial system is to be carried out in the Antarctic and is organized in Germany or emanates from German territory, it is subject to the permit requirement of the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA). For information on the application process, see:

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/topics/sustainability-strategies-international/antarctic/applying-for-a-permit-to-travel-to-the-antarctic

It is advisable to submit the enquiry to the AWI and the application to the German Environment Agency (UBA) in parallel. It is not necessary to wait with your UBA application until AWI has processed your enquiry.

The following background information about Siberia and Samoylov, converning the journy and the stay on the island is especially destined for those planning a reaserch stay at Samoylov station.

Journey

There is a helicopter connection between Tiksi and Samoylov that takes 45 minutes. Alternatively there is a ship connecting Tiksi and the island which needs about 12 hours. Tiksi can be reached by airplane from Moscow or Jakutsk.

Geographical poisition

Samoylovsky island is situated at a geographical position of 72.2° N and 126.9° E.

Time zone

Samoylov is situated in the time zone UTC (CET) +9 hours. In summer, the middle European summer time CEST +9 hours resp. UTC +10 hours is used.

Energy supply

Energy supply in Russia and on Samoylovsky island is similar to that in Europe. Plug sockets on Samoylov are identical with the European ones. As Russian plug are a bit bigger that those usual in Europe it is possible that German plugs might not fit Russian plug sockets. Electricity at the station is produced by mean of a few Diesel generators and a small wind generator.

Telephone and email

The station disposes of a fixed satellite connection and WLAN. It can be reached on the phone via a Moscow fixed network number. In addition there are satellite telephones for emergency cases.

Drinking water

Drinking water is pumped from a near by lake. The new station has an own drinking water treatment plant and a waste water purification system.

Washing

The station is equipped with several showers that may be used permanently, as well as an electrical sauna. Moreover, the old "banja" is fired about twice a week. The new station is provoded with a washhouse with two washing machines and tumble dryers each.

Kitchen

The kitchen is completely furnished for the provision of all station employees and expedition participants. The cooking is done by an employed cook.

Midnight sun/Polar night

The sun does not got down from end of April to beginning of August. Total darkness prevails from mid November until end of January, when the sun is situated more than -8° underneath the horizon.

Seasons

Winter: dark, cold, sown coverage (December until February)

Spring: bright cold, snow coverage (march until May)

Summer: bright warm, humid, mud/rain (June until August)

Autumn: it is getting darker and cooler, rain/snow (September until November)

Practical information

Outdoor clothing

Particular clothing is needed for polar areas in winter and spring. Temperatures of less than -30°C require special attention when staying outdoors. Even in summer and autumn winter clothing like caps, gloves and warm coats are needed. Climate conditions are then to be compared with those in middle European autumn and winter. During this period, waterproof shoes are essential for land excursions. Because of the superficially thawing permafron soil the ground is very sludgy in July and August. For longer stays outdoor it is important to wear sunglasses of high quality in the bright seaon, because otherwise your eyes might be seriously damaged by the combination of snow covered ground and brillant sunshine.

Indoor clothing

The station building is well heated. Please bring your own indoor slippers to help keeping the rooms clean and dry.

Clothinglist Arctic

For further information please contact Dirk Mengedoht

Clothinglist Arctic

Clothinglist Antarctica